Parents should know about contraception

Speaking at a press conference at the House of Commons today, Conservative MP Angela Watkinson said that 40 per cent of UK children aged 15 and under were sexually active, but that many parents of children who take contraception or have had an abortion are in the dark.

According to the Press Association, Ms Watkinson believes that parents should always be informed, except in exceptional circumstances, and argued that the government's teenage pregnancy strategy has done little to deter sexual activity among under-15s.

"People constantly call on parents to take more responsibility for their young - but they can hardly be blamed if the Department of Health promotes a policy which deliberately exempts them from being able to protect their children," she claimed.

"My bill gives parents the right to be informed before their child is provided with an abortion or with contraception."

Trevor Stammers, a senior tutor at St George's University of London, told the Press Association that increased parental involvement would lead to improved sexual health.